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Central African Republic rebels 'enter capital Bangui' Central African Republic rebels 'enter capital Bangui'
(about 1 hour later)
Rebels in the Central African Republic (CAR) have entered the capital Bangui, according to witnesses. Hundreds of rebels have entered the Central African Republic (CAR) capital Bangui, according to witnesses.
Residents said hundreds of Seleka rebels were now fighting running battles with government troops. Seleka rebels were said to be fighting running battles with government troops.
The rebels urged government forces not to resist and said President Francois Bozize should step down. The fighters, who have been involved in an on-off rebellion since December, accuse President Francois Bozize of failing to honour a peace deal.
Seleka began their offensive earlier this week, accusing Mr Bozize of failing to honour a peace deal signed in January - a charge he denies. Former colonial power France called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, and reportedly sent troops to secure the airport.
French officials warned French nationals in the country should stay at home.
Rebel spokesman Nelson Ndjadder said they had shot down a government military helicopter and were now heading for the presidential palace.Rebel spokesman Nelson Ndjadder said they had shot down a government military helicopter and were now heading for the presidential palace.
They are also said to have cut off electrical power to parts of the city, having taken control of three power plants in the neighbouring town of Boali.They are also said to have cut off electrical power to parts of the city, having taken control of three power plants in the neighbouring town of Boali.
A local UN official in southern Bangui said people were in a state of panic but could not confirm the rebels had entered the city.A local UN official in southern Bangui said people were in a state of panic but could not confirm the rebels had entered the city.
Former colonial power France called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in response to the crisis, presidential spokesman Romain Nadal said, quoted by AFP news agency.
French nationals in the country had been advised to stay at home, he added.
The rebels joined a power-sharing government in January after talks brokered by regional leaders to end a rebellion they launched last year.The rebels joined a power-sharing government in January after talks brokered by regional leaders to end a rebellion they launched last year.
But the deal quickly collapsed, with the rebels saying their demands, including the release of political prisoners, had not been met.But the deal quickly collapsed, with the rebels saying their demands, including the release of political prisoners, had not been met.
On Friday it was reported that they had taken a checkpoint in the town of Damara, about an hour's drive from Bangui, where regional Fomac peacekeepers are based.On Friday it was reported that they had taken a checkpoint in the town of Damara, about an hour's drive from Bangui, where regional Fomac peacekeepers are based.
CAR has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.CAR has been hit by a series of rebellions since independence from France in 1960.
It is one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite its considerable mineral resources.It is one of the poorest countries in Africa, despite its considerable mineral resources.